Nnamdi Kanu Lists Malami, Wike, Buratai, Others As Witnesses In Terrorism Trial

Leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, has named former Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF) Abubakar Malami among witnesses he intends to call in his ongoing terrorism trial. In a fresh motion he personally signed and filed before Justice James Omotosho of the Federal High Court in Abuja, Kanu expressed readiness to begin his defence as directed by the court. According to court documents sighted by the News Agency of Nigeria, the motion—filed on October 21 and marked FHC/ABJ/CR/383/2015—was titled “Notice of Number and Names of Witnesses to be Called by the Defendant and Request for Witness Summons/Subpoena and the Variation of the Time Within Which to Defend the Counts/Charges Against the Defendant.” Kanu stated that the application was in compliance with the court’s October 16 order directing him to open his defence on October 24, 2025. He disclosed plans to call a total of 23 witnesses divided into two categories: “ordinary but material witnesses” and “vital and compellable” witnesses who would be summoned under Section 232 of the Evidence Act, 2011. The IPOB leader asked the court to grant him 90 days to conclude his defence, assuring that he would personally testify, provide a sworn statement denying all allegations, and explain the political context of his words and actions. Among those listed as “compellable witnesses” are the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike; former Minister of Defence, Gen. Theophilus Danjuma (rtd); former Chief of Army Staff, Gen. Tukur Buratai (rtd); Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu; Imo State Governor Hope Uzodinma; Minister of Works, Dave Umahi; former Abia State Governor, Okezie Ikpeazu; former Director-General of the National Intelligence Agency, Ahmed Rufai Abubakar; and former Director-General of the Department of State Services, Yusuf Bichi. Kanu pledged to submit sworn statements from all voluntary witnesses and to promptly notify the prosecution, stressing that he had no intention of wasting the court’s time. He added that it was in the interest of both the court and the public “that justice is not only done but seen to have been done.” The motion comes shortly after Kanu filed a preliminary objection challenging the jurisdiction of the court to continue hearing his case. The objection was filed on the same day a team of medical experts appointed by the court submitted a report confirming that Kanu is medically fit to stand trial. Meanwhile, a magistrate court in Abuja on Tuesday ordered the remand of Kanu’s special counsel, Aloy Ejimakor, and 12 others arrested during a protest organised by activist Omoyele Sowore on Monday. The police charged the 13 individuals with criminal conspiracy, disobedience of lawful order, inciting disturbance, and public disturbance—offences contrary to Sections 152, 114, and 113 of the Penal Code Law. Those remanded alongside Ejimakor include Kanu’s younger brother, Emmanuel; Joshua Emmanuel; Wilson Anyalewechi; Okere Nnamdi; Clinton Chimeneze; Gabriel Joshua; Isiaka Husseini; Onyekachi Ferdinand; Amadi Prince; Edison Ojisom; Godwill Obioma; and Chima Onuchukwu. The magistrate directed that all 13 be kept at the Kuje Correctional Centre pending their arraignment on October 24.

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NEMA Welcomes 147 Nigerians Back From Libya Under Assisted Return Programme

The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) has received 147 Nigerians who were stranded in Libya through the Assisted Voluntary Return programme, jointly supported by the International Organisation for Migration (IOM) and the Federal Government. In a statement posted on Wednesday via X, NEMA said the returnees arrived at the Cargo Terminal of Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, aboard an Air Libya Airlines flight with registration number 5A-BAE at about 5:15 p.m. on October 21, 2025. The repatriation exercise was coordinated by NEMA’s Lagos Operations Office in partnership with the National Commission for Refugees, Migrants and Internally Displaced Persons. According to the agency, the returnees included 100 adults (32 men and 68 women), 34 children (18 boys and 16 girls), and 13 infants (5 boys and 8 girls). Officials of the Nigeria Immigration Service were on hand to carry out biometric registration and documentation to facilitate their smooth reintegration. NEMA explained that the operation was part of the Federal Government’s ongoing effort to ensure the safe and dignified return of Nigerian citizens stranded abroad. The statement added that all returnees were given food, clean water, medical care, counselling, and transportation assistance to support their resettlement. “The reception process was orderly, efficient, and focused on the welfare and dignity of all returnees,” the agency noted.

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Governor Otti Hands Over 28 Brand-New Cars To Abia Permanent Secretaries

Governor Otti Hands Over 28 Brand-New Cars To Abia Permanent Secretaries

Governor Alex Otti of Abia State has presented 28 brand-new official cars to Permanent Secretaries in the state civil service as part of efforts to strengthen efficiency and restore pride in the public sector. The vehicles were handed over on Tuesday evening during a brief ceremony at the newly commissioned Michael Okpara Auditorium in Umuahia. Speaking at the event, Governor Otti said the gesture was aimed at making the work of the Permanent Secretaries easier and more effective. “Gone are the days of coming to work with keke. Your documents are ready, including all amortization details, but you don’t have to pay anything. These cars are yours,” he said. He explained that the initiative reflects his administration’s resolve to equip the civil service with the necessary tools for better service delivery. Otti stressed that the appointments of the Permanent Secretaries were based strictly on merit and competence, noting that the process was transparent and free of favoritism. “All of you attained this position on your own merit. Even those I knew personally didn’t make it because the process was transparently conducted,” he stated. The governor also commended the Permanent Secretaries for their cooperation and dedication, describing them as vital to the implementation of his administration’s programmes and policies. According to a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Ukoha Njoku Ukoha, Otti expressed confidence that the new vehicles would enhance productivity and motivate the officials to deliver improved service. He reaffirmed his commitment to transforming the state’s civil service through technology and digital reforms aimed at promoting efficiency and accountability. “As we embark on this next phase of civil service transformation, I’m counting on you to drive the digitalization process. I’ve approved the purchase of internet-ready devices for everyone, and we’re working to make the entire state internet connected,” Otti added. In a vote of thanks, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Lands, TPL Ukpabi Ukeje, speaking on behalf of his colleagues, expressed deep appreciation to the governor for the gesture and prayed for God’s guidance and strength for him. The Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Information, Sir Chris Onwuegbu, described the donation as a morale booster that would further motivate them to deliver quality service. The event was attended by the Secretary to the State Government, the Head of Service, the Chief of Staff, Commissioners, and other senior government officials.

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Lagos Director Dies In Hit-And-Run Crash Four Days To Retirement And 60th Birthday Celebration

A senior Lagos State Government official, Mrs. Serifat Talabi, has died in a tragic hit-and-run accident just four days before her long-awaited retirement and 60th birthday celebration. Talabi, who was the Director of Procurement at the Lagos State Residents Registration Agency (LASRRA), was knocked down on Saturday while crossing the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway near the Redemption Camp in Ogun State. A civil service source confirmed that the incident occurred suddenly as Talabi attempted to cross the busy road. “She was hit by a speeding vehicle that fled the scene immediately. She was rushed to the hospital but was pronounced dead on arrival,” the source said. The late director had spent decades in public service and was set to retire officially on Monday, October 13. However, her farewell event — which was also meant to mark her 60th birthday — had been shifted to Wednesday, October 22, to allow the agency’s General Manager to attend. “She had already printed and distributed invitation cards to her colleagues, friends, and family members,” another source said. “Everyone was preparing to celebrate her achievements and milestone birthday when the news of her death broke. It’s heartbreaking.” Her colleagues at LASRRA described her as a dedicated and warm-hearted civil servant who was looking forward to her retirement after years of service to Lagos State. The family has since released her burial arrangements. A wake will be held on October 23, 2025, followed by a burial service on October 24, both at her residence, 10 Ore-Ofe Street, Ara Hall Bus Stop, Ibafo, Ogun State. What was meant to be a week of celebration has now turned into one of mourning, as family, friends, and colleagues struggle to come to terms with the sudden loss of Serifat Talabi — a woman remembered for her diligence, kindness, and lifelong dedication to public service.

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Arne Slot Faces Major Selection Dilemmas After Liverpool’s Defeat to Manchester United

Liverpool’s 2-1 loss to Manchester United at Anfield has left head coach Arne Slot facing several critical selection dilemmas as he searches for a formula to get the champions back to winning ways. The defeat marked the first time since Brendan Rodgers’ tenure in 2014 that Liverpool have lost four consecutive matches in all competitions, putting immense pressure on Slot ahead of key fixtures in Europe and the Premier League. The Reds now face a challenging week with a trip to Eintracht Frankfurt in the Champions League on Wednesday, followed by a Premier League clash with Brentford on Saturday. With performances faltering and results dipping, Slot must quickly find solutions to his team’s tactical imbalances and selection inconsistencies. One of the main issues concerns the full-back positions, where both Milos Kerkez and Conor Bradley struggled against United. Andy Robertson is now being considered to return on the left, offering experience and composure, while on the right, Dominik Szoboszlai could again fill in for Trent Alexander-Arnold, who remains sidelined. Slot’s defensive setup will be crucial in determining whether Liverpool can regain stability. Midfield remains another area of concern. Alexis Mac Allister, who has yet to complete a Premier League match since April due to fitness struggles, may be rested to recover fully. Curtis Jones impressed after replacing him in the second half against United, and many believe he deserves a starting role. Slot must now decide whether to prioritise Mac Allister’s gradual reintegration or opt for Jones’ energy and dynamism. Attention has also turned to summer signing Florian Wirtz, who once again started on the bench for Liverpool’s biggest match of the season. The German playmaker joined from Bayer Leverkusen with great expectations, but fans and pundits, including Jamie Carragher, have questioned Slot’s reluctance to start him. Carragher argued that Liverpool must build their attacking play around Wirtz and record signing Alexander Isak. Mohamed Salah’s recent dip in form adds another complication. The Egyptian forward has now gone seven Premier League games without scoring a non-penalty goal, his longest drought since joining Liverpool in 2017. Carragher suggested that Salah should no longer be an automatic starter, urging Slot to consider rotating him or testing Jeremie Frimpong in his position to add more pace and defensive balance. Up front, Slot faces a difficult choice between Isak and Hugo Ekitike. Despite being the most expensive player in British football history, Isak has yet to score in the Premier League this season, while Ekitike has netted five times in 11 appearances. The Frenchman’s form before his suspension has led many to call for him to start ahead of the Swede as Liverpool search for goals. Jamie Carragher believes the solution lies in finding a way to integrate all of Liverpool’s key signings — Isak, Ekitike, and Wirtz — into the same starting eleven. He proposed deploying Wirtz on the left wing to complement Kerkez defensively while providing creativity in attack. As Liverpool prepare for crucial games, Slot’s ability to balance his squad selections could determine whether the champions can bounce back from this early-season crisis.

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Nnamdi Kanu Lists Malami, Wike, Buratai Among Witnesses in Terrorism Trial

The detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, has named several prominent Nigerians—including former Attorney-General of the Federation Abubakar Malami (SAN)—as witnesses in his ongoing terrorism trial before the Federal High Court in Abuja. In a motion personally signed by Kanu and filed before Justice James Omotosho, the IPOB leader stated his readiness to commence defence in compliance with the court’s directive. According to court filings sighted by the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), the motion—marked FHC/ABJ/CR/383/2015 and dated October 20—was filed on October 21. It is titled: “Notice of Number and Names of Witnesses to be Called by the Defendant and Request for Witness Summons/Subpoena and the Variation of the Time Within Which to Defend the Counts/Charges Against the Defendant.” Kanu disclosed plans to call 23 witnesses, divided into “ordinary but material witnesses” and “vital and compellable witnesses,” the latter to be summoned under Section 232 of the Evidence Act, 2011. He requested a 90-day period to conclude his defence. He also told the court he would personally testify, providing a sworn account of the events and explaining the political context of his statements and actions. Among his proposed “compellable witnesses” are: Former AGF Abubakar Malami Minister of the Federal Capital Territory Nyesom Wike Former Minister of Defence Gen. Theophilus Danjuma (rtd) Former Chief of Army Staff Gen. Tukur Buratai (rtd) Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu Imo State Governor Hope Uzodinma Minister of Works Dave Umahi Former Abia State Governor Okezie Ikpeazu Former DG of the National Intelligence Agency Ahmed Rufai Abubakar Former DG of the State Security Service Yusuf Bichi Kanu assured the court that all voluntary witnesses would submit sworn statements in advance and that his defence team would not delay proceedings. He emphasized that his intention was to ensure “justice is not only done but manifestly seen to have been done.” The motion follows his preliminary objection filed last week, challenging the jurisdiction of the court to continue hearing the case—filed the same day a court-appointed medical panel declared him fit to stand trial. Meanwhile, a magistrate court in Abuja on Tuesday ordered the remand of Kanu’s lawyer, Aloy Ejimakor, and 12 others arrested during Monday’s protest led by activist Omoyele Sowore, which demanded Kanu’s release. The defendants face charges of criminal conspiracy, disobedience of lawful order, and inciting disturbance under Sections 152, 114, and 113 of the Penal Code. They have been remanded at Kuje Correctional Centre pending their arraignment on October 24.

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Kyari: Public-Private Partnerships Key to Reducing ₦3.5trn Post-Harvest Losses

Kyari: Public-Private Partnerships Key to Reducing ₦3.5trn Post-Harvest Losses

Nigeria’s Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Senator Abubakar Kyari, has emphasized that a strong and strategic public-private partnership is essential to reforming the agricultural sector and cutting the nation’s annual post-harvest losses, estimated at ₦3.5 trillion. Kyari made this known during a high-level panel discussion at the FAO Hand-in-Hand Sahel Regional Initiative, held recently in Rome, Italy. The event focused on accelerating capacity, partnerships, and investments to transform agrifood systems across the Sahel region. According to the minister, scaling up the Special Agro-Industrial Processing Zones (SAPZ) — Africa’s largest such initiative — from eight to 27 states will provide integrated infrastructure, reduce production costs for agro-processors, and boost food value chains nationwide. He also highlighted the implementation of the Nigeria Postharvest Systems Transformation Programme (NiPHaST) as a major step toward curbing the ₦3.5 trillion lost annually to poor storage, cold chain gaps, and inefficient warehousing. Kyari underscored the importance of “strong institutions, innovative financing, strategic and robust public-private collaboration, and smart governance” in unlocking the full potential of farmers, processors, and agribusinesses across the Sahel. “The pathway to upscale is to implement a laudable agenda,” Kyari said.

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FG Warns ASUU Against Strike, Vows To Enforce No Work No Pay Policy

BREAKING: ASUU Suspends Two-Week Strike

The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has lifted its two-week warning strike, which had paralyzed academic activities across public universities since last week. The announcement was made on Wednesday during a press conference at the union’s national secretariat in Abuja. ASUU President, Chris Piwuna, said the decision came after interventions from the Senate and several respected Nigerians who urged the union to give dialogue another chance. He explained that the National Executive Council (NEC) resolved to suspend the strike temporarily, granting the federal government a one-month window to fulfill its promises and address all outstanding issues. Piwuna warned that the union would not hesitate to resume industrial action if the government fails to take concrete steps within the given timeframe.

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