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The Nigerian military has inaugurated a general court – martial to try officers accused in an alleged coup plot, marking the formal commencement of proceedings.

The officers were brought to the venue of the sitting, the guards brigade scorpion mess, Asokoro, at about 8:53 a.m. 24th April 2026 under tight security.

However, journalists were denied access into the courtroom as proceedings commenced behind closed doors, while several civil lawyers were observed arriving at the venue ahead of the inauguration, suggesting the presence of legal representatives for the defendants.

The sitting signals the beginning of the military’s internal trial process following months of investigation into the alleged plot.

The matter dates back to October 2025 when about 16 serving military personnel, comprising senior and junior officers, were arrested over alleged acts of indiscipline.

Subsequent investigations by military authorities, however, established that some of the officers had cases to answer bordering on an alleged attempt to overthrow the constitutional government, leading to the decision to subject them to court-martial.

Statement By Ministry Of Defence 

DEFENCE HEADQUARTERS INAUGURATES GENERAL COURT MARTIAL TO TRY 36 SERVING PERSONNEL OVER BREACH OF NATIONAL SECURITY

The Defence Headquarters (DHQ) has today 24 April 2026, inaugurated a General Court Martial to try 36 serving military personnel over alleged mutiny, aimed at overthrowing the government of the day. This is in furtherance of the DHQ’s statement issued on 26 January 2026 which dwelled on the subject. 

The inauguration marks a significant step in reinforcing discipline, accountability and the commitment of the Armed Forces to safeguarding national integrity and constituted authority. Proceedings of the court will be conducted with the highest standards of fairness, impartiality and strict adherence to due process guaranteeing that justice will be served without fear or favour. All cases will be addressed within extant legal frameworks of the military justice system. 

The DHQ remains resolute in upholding professionalism, discipline and the rule of law while ensuring that the rights of all personnel are respected and the tenets of fair hearing upheld.

SAMAILA UBA

Major General

Director, Defence Information

24 April 2026

UEFA on Friday, handed Benfica’s Gianluca Prestianni a six-match ban following alleged racist insults directed at Real Madrid’s Vinicius Junior during both sides’ UEFA Champions League play-off match in Lisbon some weeks ago.

Benfica announced the news in an official statement, saying the Portuguese club received a notification from UEFA.

According to the statement, Prestianni was suspended for “six matches” for the use of homophobic language during Benfica’s Champions League tie with Real Madrid in March.

Recall that the Champions League playoff was overshadowed by several troubling incidents, most notably when Vinicius accused Prestianni of using racist slurs against him.

The Champions League playoff first leg encounter was played in Lisbon, and UEFA later banned Prestianni for the return leg at the Santiago Bernabeu.

Vinicius: UEFA finally bans Benfica’s Gianluca Prestianni

Abdullahi Ganduje, the immediate past national chairman of the All Progressives Congress and former Kano State Governor, has urged governors in Northern Nigeria to invest in persons with disabilities to reduce the menace of begging in the region.

Ganduje made the call Friday at an event in Abuja.

According to him, with adequate investment in technological gadgets, education is now easier for those with special needs in society, and they could become more useful to themselves and society.

The event brought together experts in disability education, federal and state government officials, staff, alumni, and students of Tudun Maliki Special School, Kano, with a keynote speech from the vice principal of the school, Ibrahim Abdukabir, on the impact of the Let’s Talk Humanity Initiative.

He noted if governors and other stakeholders adopt the approach of human investment, there’s no doubt there will be a big change in our society.

“Yes, they are neglected because they are physically challenged. This has affected their psyche and motivation, and they cannot even think they are human beings like other beings, but unveiling this kind of program, we are making them to be like any other human being in our society.

“Finally, I urge those in authority and development partners to make a great change; it’s fishing. Those physically challenged can’t stop begging. They can develop to the extent that they can even be employers of labor. They can develop to the extent that they can be geniuses in various fields of endeavors.”

On his part, Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Disaster Management Dr Bernard Doro emphasized that society must bear in mind that before a program or device is designed, the people living with disabilities should be considered.

“When we develop assisted devices or technology in general, this has to be done with people living with disabilities in mind.

In her speech, the founder of Let’s Talk Humanity, Fatima Ganduje Abiola-Ajumobi, stressed that empowering PWDs is key to societal development.

Invest in PWDs to reduce begging in Nigeria — Ganduje tells Northern governors

Nigeria Premier Football League, side Abia Warriors have crashed out from the 2026 President Federation Cup.

Abia Warriors were bundled out of the tournament following a 4-3 penalty loss to Nationwide League One side Ahudianynem FC.

The fiercely contested encounter game ended goalless in regulation time.

DAILY POST recalls that Abia Warriors were runners-up in the 2024 President Federation Cup.

They lost 2-0 to El-Kanemi Warriors in the final in Lagos.

The Umuahia-based club will shift focus to their chase for a continental ticket in the NPFL.

Abia Warriors currently sit in fourth position on the NPFL table with 55 points.

Imama Amapakabo’s side will take on Rivers United, Kun Khalifat FC and Warri Wolves in their last three games of the campaign.

Abia Federation Cup: Abia Warriors crash out after defeat to Ahudianynem FC

President Bola Tinubu has sworn in Muttaqha Darma as the new Minister of Housing and Urban Development after his Senate clearance.
Darma from Katsina State replaced Ahmed Musa Dangiwa, who recently resigned.

This is contained in a statement by the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, on Friday.

The president congratulated Dr Darma for coming on board at this very challenging time of national development.

“You have a very rich and interesting background. As a leader, we need competent hands like yours.

“There is no doubt that you have rendered valuable services in all the assignments you have embarked upon; You are a fitting peg in the right position,” he said.

The President urged the new Minister to be ready to serve in any capacity in which he is called upon.

DAILY POST reports that Darma is a distinguished Nigerian scholar, administrator, and development expert who holds a Doctor of Business Administration degree from the University of Liverpool and a PhD in Industrial Engineering from Atlantic International University, USA.

Tinubu swears in Darma as Housing Minister

A trial date has finally been fixed for the long-running case involving former domestic workers of ex-First Lady Patience Jonathan, after years of adjournments, allegations of judicial interference and growing public pressure forced the hand of the court.

The workers, numbering fifteen in total, have been in detention since 2019 on allegations that they stole jewellery reportedly worth hundreds of millions of naira from the former First Lady. After more than six years in custody, the case had reached the stage at which the defendants were expected to open their defence, but repeated delays, prolonged absences of the presiding judge and failures to fix hearing dates have stalled proceedings.

The new date of May 22 was set following renewed media attention on the case, with a source familiar with the matter saying the Chief Judge eventually responded to mounting pressure from press coverage.

Family members of the detained workers have maintained that the prosecution has failed to prove its case and that key confessions tendered against their relatives were obtained under duress. Some of the defendants testified in court that they were tortured during interrogation. Relatives have also alleged that Bayelsa State government officials have been working behind the scenes to keep the accused in custody and to prevent the Chief Judge from progressing the matter, with suggestions that political calculations ahead of the 2027 elections may be driving the interference.

The long years of detention have taken a severe toll on the accused. One of the fifteen, Sahabi Liman, died in custody after his health deteriorated beyond recovery.

His son recalled that Liman had been granted bail several years earlier to seek medical treatment, appeared to improve for a time, but eventually worsened and died. Family members attributed his death to the physical and psychological burden of prolonged incarceration without resolution.

Several of the remaining defendants are said to be battling serious health conditions with limited access to adequate medical care.

Court Sets Trial For Patience Jonathan Ex-Workers After Six Years is first published on The Whistler Newspaper

The decision by Nigerian Exchange Limited to extend its trading hours is a commendable and forward-looking reform that aligns Nigeria’s capital market with evolving global standards. It is pertinent to note that in several advanced and emerging jurisdictions such as the United States, where exchanges like the New York Stock Exchange operate for extended hours and markets across Europe with similarly long trading windows, longer trading periods have consistently supported deeper liquidity, better price discovery, and improved investor participation.

When you also look at other dynamic frontier and emerging markets such as the Johannesburg Stock Exchange, which trades from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., or the Bombay Stock Exchange, which operates from 9:15 a.m. to 3:30 p.m, it becomes clear that a truncated trading day limits ambition.

These jurisdictions have long understood that longer trading windows attract deeper pools of foreign portfolio investment and allow for better price alignment with global events. So, by shifting from a 9:30 a.m to 2:30 p.m schedule to a full 9:00 a.m to 4:00 p.m window, the NGX is finally aligning itself with global best practice.

In terms of its significance, it is a positive development. First, the extension enhances price discovery. With our current equities market capitalization sitting comfortably above N140tn and year-to-date returns exceeding 35 per cent, the market is already on a strong footing. A longer session means that news flow- whether it is an early morning policy announcement by the CBN or a midday earnings release- can be immediately priced in, rather than forcing investors to wait for the next day’s open. This reduces the kind of overnight gap risk that often frustrates traders. Second, it broadens access for the average Nigerian worker who cannot place a trade during a lunch break that falls after 2:30 p.m. Now, the retail investor has until 4 p.m. to react.

From an impact perspective, the likely outcome is a gradual deepening of liquidity and a broadening of participation Liquidity should improve noticeably because overlapping trading hours with major European and even early US sessions will allow for more real-time hedging and arbitrage. More trading time typically translates into higher volumes, tighter bid-ask spreads, and more accurate price formation.

This is particularly relevant given Nigeria’s recent recognition by FTSE Russell as a Frontier Market, which places the country more firmly on the radar of global portfolio investors.

We are already seeing a more diversified product landscape- equities, bonds, ETFs, commercial paper, and even early-stage derivatives- so a longer session gives these products the airtime they need to mature. Overall, the extended hours will make the NGX more accessible to international investors operating in different time zones, thereby enhancing cross-border capital flows. Additionally, it could stimulate greater activity in fixed income and derivative instruments, supporting the Exchange’s ambition to evolve into a truly multi-asset marketplace.

That said, I must acknowledge that longer trading hours are not without risks. There is the potential for increased market volatility, particularly during the newly added early and late trading periods when liquidity may initially be thinner. Operational risks may also arise, including system strain, surveillance challenges, and the need for market participants to adjust their internal processes and risk management frameworks.

Indeed, research has shown that extended hours increase operational demands on trading firms, broker-dealers, and the exchange’s own technology infrastructure. There is also the risk of afternoon fatigue leading to impulsive trades if market makers are not adequately capitalized to support the extra hours.

This is where the roles of NGX Regulation Limited and the Securities and Exchange Commission become even more critical. Both institutions must intensify market surveillance to detect and deter manipulative practices, especially during extended hours. There should also be continuous monitoring of liquidity patterns and volatility dynamics to ensure orderly market behavior. Investor education will be essential, as participants need to understand the implications of trading in different sessions.

Furthermore, robust technological infrastructure and contingency systems must be maintained to handle the increased operational demands. I also expect the NGX Reg Co to issue clear guidelines on market maker obligations during the final hour to prevent any artificial widening of spreads.

And the SEC, for its part, should mandate a public post-implementation review after the first three months, looking specifically at volatility patterns and investor complaints.
In sum, this reform is a positive and strategic step that reinforces the NGX’s positioning as a modern, globally competitive exchange. If well managed, it will not only deepen liquidity and improve market access but also strengthen Nigeria’s overall financial ecosystem and its capacity to support sustainable economic growth.

Prof Uche Uwaleke is the President, Capital Market Academics of Nigeria

OPINION: NGX Aligning Wth Global Best Practice With Longer Trading Hours is first published on The Whistler Newspaper

Justice Hauwa Yilwa of a Federal High Court sitting in Abuja has issued an order restraining the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) and the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) from imposing fines and penalties on motorists who breached the Third Party Motor Vehicle Insurance Act.

Lawyer/Activist, Deji Adeyanju, filed the suit before the court.

In a judgment delivered on Friday, April 23, the judge barred the police and the FRSC from imposing fines on defaulting motorists without a valid court order.

Before delivering her judgement, Justice Yilwa dismissed a notice of preliminary objection brought by the police to “arrest the judgment”.

When the matter was called, counsel to the police, Andrew Victor, brought a motion to challenge the court’s jurisdiction to entertain the suit. He argued that jurisdiction is vital in any case and can be brought at any time before judgment, adding that the police was not served with the court process.

However, Justice Yilwa, in a bench ruling disagreed with the submission of the police counsel, maintaining that evidence of service is contained in the court’s record.

The trial judge in her judgment held that the police and FRSC, who are 1st and 3rd respondents in the suit, although empowered to enforce the Third Party Motor Vehicle Insurance Act, however lack the powers to impose fines and penalties on any motorists in breach of the Act, without a valid court order.

Iran’s foreign minister, Abbas Araqchi, is scheduled to visit Islamabad, Pakistan, a development that has sparked optimism for renewed discussions aimed at resolving the conflict in the Middle East.

Araqchi will commence his journey on Friday, which will include stops in Islamabad, Muscat, and Moscow, according to Iranian state media.

“The objective of this visit is to engage in bilateral consultations and to address current regional developments, as well as the latest circumstances surrounding the war imposed by the United States and the Israeli regime against Iran,” stated the state news agency IRNA.

In the meantime, the Iranian ambassador has informed the BBC that the United States must lift its blockade on Iranian ports if negotiations are to proceed between the two nations.

During an interview with BBC Radio 4’s World at One program, Ali Bahreini, the Iranian ambassador to the UN in Geneva, described the blockade as a “significant breach” of the ceasefire.

He emphasized that they are not seeking negotiations merely to provide the “other side” with an opportunity to prepare for further aggression against Iran.

He urged for a “realistic approach from the United States by acknowledging Iran’s rights and reasonable demands.”

In a separate incident, Indonesia has once again condemned an Israeli assault in Lebanon that led to the death of a fourth Indonesian peacekeeper, as reported by the foreign ministry on Friday.

The peacekeeper suffered critical injuries from an artillery shell fired by an Israeli tank on March 29, and the ministry announced on Friday that he has succumbed to his injuries. Three other Indonesian peacekeepers also lost their lives as a result of the attack.

Indonesia has called on the UN to carry out a comprehensive, transparent, and accountable investigation into the fatalities of its peacekeepers.

War: Hope returns as Iran’s foreign minister set for trip to Pakistan

Residents of Kubwa in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) have commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu over the construction of roads, especially in the satellite towns by the Federal Capital Territory Administration, under the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike.

One of the residents, Prosper Onyenaucheya, who spoke during the minister’s inspection of the ongoing construction of Kubwa-Gbazango road, otherwise called Arab Road on Friday, praised the Federal Capital Territory Administration under the leadership of Wike, for prioritizing projects that directly impact communities.

During the inspection, Wike expressed satisfaction with the pace and quality of work on the road projects, which include Karu township roads, Apo-Karshi road and Kubwa – Gbazango road, otherwise called Arab Road, noting that many of them will be commissioned during the third anniversary of President Tinubu’s administration.

The Minister also reaffirmed the FCT Administration’s commitment to opening more roads across the FCT and making Abuja cleaner and more organized through sustained infrastructural development and urban renewal.

Addressing the FCT Minister in Kubwa during the inspection, Prosper Onyenaucheya said; “You are doing a very wonderful work and the work is going fast.

“We want to thank you for the speed of the light with which the work has been going on here. Thank you very much Mr Project. We have felt your presence.

“The truth is that you have helped to promote the scorecards of our President. You are doing well. I know that Nigerians will miss this administration because of your work.”

Fielding questions from journalists after the inspection, Wike assured that the Karu township roads will be among the projects to be inaugurated as part of the third anniversary of the President.

He also commended Abdul Val Nigeria Ltd, the contractor handling the Karu Road, stretching from Karu Interchange to Customs Clinic Junction, saying; “You can see that the job is going on well. What impressed me so much is that it is being handled by a local contractor, and you can see the quality of work being done there.

“The contractor has demonstrated that if they are given the opportunity, our local contractors can also complete with the foreign ones.”

On the Kubwa – Gbazango road, the minister said with the assurance being given by the contractor, the road will also be among those to be commissioned in June, this year.

FCT residents hail President Tinubu over construction of satellite towns roads