The trial of former Kano State Governor, Abdullahi Ganduje, and seven others over alleged misappropriation of public funds has been adjourned until October 14 by the Kano State High Court.

Ganduje, alongside his wife Hafsat Umar, faces an 11-count charge bordering on bribery, conspiracy, misappropriation, and diversion of billions of naira.

Other defendants include Abubakar Bawuro, Abdullahi Umar, Jibrilla Muhammad, Lamash Properties Ltd, Safari Textiles Ltd, and Lasage General Enterprises Ltd.

At Wednesday’s hearing, prosecution counsel Victor Oni informed the court that the state was ready to proceed and sought to withdraw an earlier motion filed on March 31, substituting it with a fresh application dated May 15.

The defence, represented by Mrs Lydia Oluwakemi-Oyewo and other counsels, raised no objections.Counsel to the sixth defendant, however, filed a preliminary objection and requested a date for hearing.

Justice Amina Adamu-Aliyu subsequently struck out the prosecution’s earlier motion and adjourned the matter to October 14 for consideration of the objection.

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The Anambra State-owned security outfit, Agunechemba, has successfully dislodged a terror group’s camp in Aguata Local Government Area, killing three armed men while several others escaped with gunshot wounds.

The operation, carried out Tuesday night by Agunechemba operatives attached to the FOB Unit in Aguata, led to the recovery of a Rocket-Propelled Grenade (RPG), AK-47 rifles, the gang’s operational white Hilux van, charms, handbags, and other incriminating items.

In a statement on Wednesday, Agunechemba’s Media and Publicity Secretary, Nweke Nweke, revealed that the gang had previously attacked the convoy of Governor Chukwuma Soludo’s Chief of Staff, Ben Nwankwo, killing four people, including two police officers and two civilians.

According to Nweke, the raid was conducted in partnership with the police after intelligence gathering pinpointed the gang’s hideout. During a fierce gun battle, three members of the group were neutralised.

“This gang had been masquerading in Federal Government security uniforms and had previously attacked the convoy of the Chief of Staff to Governor Soludo. Their downfall came during a firepower encounter with our operatives,” the statement read.

The gang was reportedly operating across Anambra South Senatorial District, engaging in kidnapping, armed robbery, and other violent crimes.

Prince Ken Emekayi, Special Adviser to the Governor on Community Security; Sylvester Ofodeme, Chairman of the State House of Assembly Committee on Internal Security; and Chief Chinenye Ihenko, Agunechemba’s Head of Operations, hailed the operation as a major breakthrough in the fight against insecurity.

The recovered weapons and vehicle are expected to aid further investigations into the group’s activities.

This latest success underscores the state government’s ongoing efforts to clamp down on criminal networks and restore peace across Anambra.

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President Bola Tinubu has formally requested the Senate to confirm the appointment of Professor Abayomi Fashina, immediate past Vice Chancellor of the Federal University, Oye-Ekiti, as a non-career ambassador and high commissioner-designate.

The request was conveyed in a letter read during Wednesday’s plenary by Senate President Godswill Akpabio. Tinubu explained that the nomination was made in line with constitutional provisions guiding diplomatic appointments and urged lawmakers to act swiftly.

“In accordance with the provisions of section 121, subsections 2, 3, and 4 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999, as amended, I am pleased to present for confirmation by the Senate the nomination of Professor Abayomi Sunday-Fashina as non-career ambassador/high commissioner-designate,” the letter stated.

Akpabio subsequently referred the nomination to the Senate Committee on Foreign Affairs for screening. The committee is expected to scrutinize Fashina’s credentials and submit its report within one week, after which the Senate will vote on his confirmation.

The appointment is part of the Tinubu administration’s broader effort to strengthen Nigeria’s diplomatic corps, with a mix of career and non-career envoys being deployed to strategic foreign missions.

By constitutional requirement, ambassadorial nominees must undergo Senate screening to assess their competence, professional background, and suitability for diplomatic service. Non-career ambassadors are typically drawn from academia, politics, public administration, and other sectors where they have demonstrated leadership and distinguished service.

Fashina, an academic and administrator, is widely recognized in Nigeria’s higher education sector, having served as Vice Chancellor of FUOYE. His nomination is expected to attract close legislative scrutiny during the screening process.

If confirmed, he will join other ambassadorial appointees tasked with advancing Nigeria’s foreign policy objectives, strengthening bilateral relations, and promoting the country’s economic and diplomatic interests abroad.

The Senate is expected to conclude consideration of the nomination once the Foreign Affairs Committee submits its report next week.

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Senate President Godswill Akpabio has cautioned Nigerian governors against abusing state police when it is finally established.

Akpabio issued the warning on Tuesday during plenary as the National Assembly prepares to approve state police to tackle insecurity in the
country.

Recall that President Bola Tinubu on Tuesday sent a Constitution Alteration Bill to the National Assembly, seeking the establishment of state police.

The Nigerian Senate fixed Wednesday (today) for the passage of the state police bill.

“Many of us like to go back home after we are through here, without being afraid of the state police.

“Even the current governors will one day leave office, they should not be afraid of the state police they created.

“Your conscience will be looking at you, and they will be interested in what you say. Since 1960 Nigeria did not have the courage to decentralize the police. This is the first time we’ll do it.

“And this will be done in two phases; one will be through alteration of the constitution and the other one we will embed an Act of
Parliament in order to bring out the modalities to avoid abuses,” Akpabio said.

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Residents of Igboho in Oyo State erupted in celebration after a kidnapped family, including a pregnant woman, her children, and a sibling, were released following a two-hour ultimatum issued by Yoruba activist Sunday Adeyemo, popularly known as Sunday Igboho.

Videos circulating on social media showed large crowds singing, dancing, and rejoicing at the victims’ return to the community.

The release came shortly after Igboho addressed community leaders and traditional rulers, expressing outrage over rising kidnappings and insecurity in the area.

He accused some elements within the Fulani community of involvement in the abductions and referenced a recent case where a ransom bearer was allegedly killed.

“I am Sunday Igboho. I am calm because my fathers asked me to be calm with you. Let this be the last time such a thing will happen,” he warned, while giving a two-hour deadline for the release of the victims.

Igboho had earlier shown restraint at the request of traditional rulers but threatened decisive action if his ultimatum was ignored. Details of exactly how the victims were freed remain unclear, but the swift development has been widely attributed to his intervention.

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President Bola Tinubu has congratulated Ekiti State Governor Biodun Oyebanji on his landslide victory in Saturday’s governorship election.

In a statement issued on Sunday by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, Tinubu commended the people of Ekiti State for conducting a peaceful and orderly election and for reposing their trust in the governor.

The President also praised security agencies for ensuring law and order during the poll. Tinubu described Oyebanji as the first governor in Ekiti State’s history to secure back-to-back re-election, noting that the victory represents a strong vote of confidence in continuity and people-centred governance.

He urged the governor to remain magnanimous in victory and to carry all stakeholders along as he consolidates on his achievements in infrastructure, agriculture, education, healthcare, and youth development.

The President called on other candidates and political parties to rally behind Oyebanji for the overall interest of Ekiti State.

INEC declared Oyebanji winner after he polled 319,224 votes, defeating his closest rivals from the PDP and ADC.

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The Japanese government has approved a sharp increase in visa application fees for Nigerians and other foreign nationals, marking the first revision in 48 years.

Under the new structure, effective from July 1, 2026, the fee for a single-entry visa will rise from ¥3,000 ($18.60) to ¥15,000 ($92.99). Similarly, the multiple-entry visa fee will increase from ¥6,000 ($37.20) to ¥30,000 ($187.97).

The hike, approved at a Cabinet meeting, is attributed to inflation, rising costs, and the need to adjust fees set since 1978.

Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi stated that the government does not anticipate a significant negative impact on inbound tourism.

The increase primarily affects applicants from countries requiring visas, such as Nigeria, China, and India. Nationals from visa-exempt countries (including many from Europe and the US) are not affected by the new fees.

This development is expected to make travel to Japan more expensive for many Nigerians planning short-term visits.

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The Osun state police command has dismissed claims of an assassination attempt on Oba Jimoh Olanipekun Larooye II, the Ataoja of Osogbo.

The clarification comes a week after Ademola Adeleke, governor of Osun, alleged that the monarch was attacked by political thugs in
his palace.

A statement issued on Friday by Abiodun Ojelabi, spokesperson of the Osun police command, said findings from an investigation
panel led by Suleiman Bayonle, deputy commissioner of police in charge of the criminal investigation department (CID), did not support claims of an assassination attempt.

According to the police, the incident occurred on June 3 when Semilola Monday, a 26-year-old man also known as “Ankara”, scaled the
fence of the Ataoja’s palace and gained entry into the premises.

The command said palace staff and residents challenged the suspect, who was unable to provide a reasonable explanation for his presence
and attempted to flee.

“In the course of ensuring pursuit he sustained bodily injury and was rushed to Uniosun Teaching Hospital, Osogbo where he was admitted for medical attention,” the statement reads.

The police said the suspect later admitted entering the palace through the fence but denied any intention to assassinate or attack the
monarch or anyone else.

“He attributed his conduct to excessive admission of substance,” the command said.

The investigation further revealed that the suspect was not carrying a firearm or any offensive weapon at the time of his arrest, the force added.

The police said he was subsequently arraigned before Magistrate Court II in Osogbo on June 8 on a charge of attempted felony and remanded in a correctional facility.

The command added that investigations remain open and urged the public and palace representatives with additional information on the
incident to come forward.

The development follows allegations by Adeleke that the monarch was shot at by thugs allegedly sponsored by the All Progressives
Congress (APC).

The governor, who is seeking re-election on the Accord party platform, had claimed that Ataoja was targeted for publicly endorsing his
second-term bid.

The incident comes amid heightened political tension between supporters of the governor and the APC ahead of the forthcoming governorship election in the state.

On June 4, Asimiyu Ajibola, chairman of Accord in Osun, was shot by gunmen in Osogbo in what was described as an assassination attempt.

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The Oyo state fire service says six persons lost their lives in a multiple-vehicle accident involving tankers, articulated trucks and cars at the Ibadan toll gate section of the Lagos-Ibadan expressway on Friday night.

The crash, which triggered a fire outbreak, also left many commuters stranded for hours on Saturday as traffic built up along the busy highway.

In a statement, Moroof Akinwande, chairman of the Oyo state fire service, said eight other persons were rescued from the wreckage and
handed over to officials of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) for medical attention.

Akinwande said the agency received a distress call at about 9:29pm from Sola Rotimi, a police officer, and immediately deployed firefighters to the scene.

According to him, emergency responders arrived to find six vehicles involved in the accident, including gas tankers, articulated trucks and two cars, with parts of the scene already engulfed in flames.

“The crew quickly swung into action, and the fire was restricted from causing further damage to other vehicles and nearby properties,” he said.

Preliminary investigations, he added, indicated that brake failure may have been responsible for the accident.

The fire service boss urged motorists to exercise caution on highways and ensure their vehicles are equipped with functional fire extinguishers to help contain emergencies before they escalate.

Videos circulating on social media showed hundreds of vehicles trapped in gridlock as burnt tankers obstructed one section of the
road.

Charred vehicle parts and burnt tyres littered the highway, while commuters expressed frustration over the prolonged delays.

“We have been on the road since 7am. We are still here. We have spent more than necessary. Lagos-Ibadan Expressway needs urgent rescue,”
one stranded passenger said.

Bayegun Oluwatoyin, the comedian and pastor popularly known as Woli Arole, also lamented the situation in a video shared online.

“If you are planning to come to Ibadan today, just stay home. People have been here for between three to four hours. I learnt there are
cars burnt on the way since yesterday. It’s serious,” he said.

Damilare Ogundoyin, a gospel singer known as Dare Justified, advised travellers to plan their journeys carefully and consider alternative
routes, warning that movement along the affected stretch remained extremely slow due to the incident.

“If you are travelling from Lagos to Ibadan or from Ibadan to Lagos today, please plan accordingly,” he wrote.

“There is currently a major traffic gridlock on the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway following a collision involving four tankers and two
vehicles.

“The incident has caused a complete blockage of traffic in both directions.

“Many commuters have reportedly been stranded in traffic since as early as 7:00 a.m., and movement along the affected stretch remains
extremely slow.”]

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