Court Clears Sowore To Proceed With #FreeNnamdiKanuNow Protest After Police Request Rejected

The Federal High Court in Abuja has rejected an application by the Nigeria Police Force seeking to stop the planned “Free Nnamdi Kanu Now” protest scheduled for Monday, October 20, 2025. The Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, had filed an ex parte motion through police lawyers to restrain activist and protest convener, Omoyele Sowore, from going ahead with the demonstration near the Presidential Villa in Abuja. However, Justice Umar declined to grant the police request, ruling that Sowore must first be served with a formal notice before any decision could be made. The judge subsequently adjourned the case until Tuesday for a full hearing. The ruling effectively allows the protest to proceed as planned on Monday, as there is currently no court order preventing it. Reacting to the decision, Sowore hailed the court’s refusal to halt the protest as a victory for democracy and free expression. “IGP Kayode Egbetokun dispatched police lawyers to sue me in an effort to stop the #FreeNnamdiKanuNow protest scheduled for Aso Rock Villa on Monday,” Sowore wrote on X. “But the judge refused to grant the motion and adjourned the case for proper hearing on Tuesday.” The protest, tagged #FreeNnamdiKanuNow, aims to demand the release of the detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, who has been in custody since 2021 despite multiple court rulings ordering his release. With the court’s ruling, Sowore and his supporters are expected to march toward the Presidential Villa as planned, setting the stage for a tense faceoff with security operatives. The final decision on the legality of the protest will be determined at the adjourned hearing on Tuesday.

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FCT Police Command Welcomes CP Dantawaye Miller as New Commissioner

The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Police Command has a new head as CP Dantawaye Miller officially assumed office as the 34th Commissioner of Police, taking over from CP Ajao Adewale, who was redeployed by Inspector-General of Police Kayode Egbetokun. CP Miller resumed duty on Friday, October 17, 2025, promising to strengthen community policing and reinforce existing security structures to protect residents across the FCT. SP Josephine Adeh, the FCT Police spokesperson, said the new commissioner highlighted the importance of collaboration between the police and the public, urging citizens to continue supporting law enforcement in maintaining peace and order. “CP Miller has pledged to deepen community-police partnerships and strengthen security frameworks to ensure the safety of all residents within the Federal Capital Territory,” Adeh stated.

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They Are Baseless – Akpabio Rejects Sister-in-Law’s Murder Allegations

Senate President Godswill Akpabio has dismissed murder and betrayal claims made against him by his sister-in-law, Pastor Pat Akpabio, describing the allegations as unfounded and politically motivated. Through his spokesperson, Eseme Eyiboh, Akpabio urged Pat to report her claims to the appropriate security agencies instead of airing them on social media. “Killing is at the heart of our criminal justice administration. So, I expect a citizen who is aware of the commission of such a crime to be honest enough and report it to the authorities,” Eyiboh said, as quoted by PREMIUM TIMES. He added, “The issue of murder is not something to use for a political vendetta. The law is very clear: whoever asserts must prove.” Eyiboh also defended Akpabio’s character, describing him as “a very humble and strong family person,” and suggested that Pat’s allegations were motivated by a desire for attention. “She is just doing it for attention. Who is going to give her that attention? The Senate president is very busy,” Eyiboh said, adding that the accusations would not tarnish Akpabio’s reputation. Pat, married to Akpabio’s brother Ibanga, had in a Facebook video posted on October 11 accused the Senate president of being responsible for “many killings” in Akwa Ibom State during his tenure as governor. She also criticized him for neglecting his hometown, Ukana Ikot Ntuen, which she said has been without electricity for weeks. In addition, Pat claimed Akpabio accused her husband of wrongdoing during his failed 2019 senatorial bid and accused him of betraying several political allies, including Umana Okon Umana, Nsima Ekere, Akan Udofia, and Bassey Albert. She further vowed to challenge him in the 2027 senatorial election, issuing what she called a “quit notice”: “When you finish, go home. Take care of yourself.” Pat also warned President Bola Tinubu to exercise caution in his dealings with Akpabio and threatened to release more damaging information, stating, “You know I love you. I don’t hate you. I love you because you are a brother to my husband. I stood by you in 2019 when people wrote all sorts of things against you. Did I collect 10 kobo from you? Today, you have the audacity to say that you are the one that made me.” Before entering politics, Akpabio worked as a teacher, later as a lawyer at Paul Usoro & Co., and also served as managing director and CEO of EMIS Telecoms Limited.

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Vatican Creates Prayer Space for Muslim Scholars

The Vatican has responded to a request from Muslim scholars by establishing a dedicated prayer room within its historic library. Father Giacomo Cardinali, Vice Prefect of the Vatican Library, told Italian newspaper La Repubblica that the new space allows scholars to practice their faith on-site. “Some Muslim scholars asked us for a room with a prayer rug, and we gave it to them,” Cardinali said. Founded in 1475 by Pope Sixtus IV, the Vatican Library is one of the world’s oldest and most renowned, housing religious and historical texts from across the globe. Cardinali emphasized the library’s diverse collections, which include Arabic, Jewish, Ethiopian, and rare Chinese manuscripts. He also revealed that the library holds the oldest medieval Japanese archive outside Japan. The library’s holdings now include approximately 80,000 manuscripts, 50,000 archival items, 100,000 engravings, prints, coins, and medals, as well as nearly two million printed books. Cardinali added that the library receives unique requests from around the world through its online system. “Some of the most unusual requests come from America: a time machine, the Menorah from the Temple of Jerusalem, and even the Holy Grail,” he said. While the Vatican is deeply respected worldwide, Cardinali noted that not everyone treats the institution with the same reverence.

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Alex Otti Says Politicians Should Write Their Will if They Attempt to Rig 2027 Elections

Abia State Governor Alex Otti has emphasized that the “will” of God and the people will determine the outcome of the 2027 governorship election, warning politicians against trying to manipulate the results. Speaking on Thursday during the October edition of Alex Otti Speaks to Abians at the Government House, Umuahia, the governor stressed that while he welcomes anyone who wishes to contest, those planning to rig the election should be prepared to face consequences. “I have heard that some people around him say they must take over this state, they must write results, but the only advice I have for them is that if they truly want to write results, they should write something else before that time. You know what it is? Their will,” Otti said, highlighting that no human action can override divine and popular will. His remarks came in response to statements reportedly made by Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Benjamin Kalu, who claimed the All Progressives Congress (APC) intends to take over Abia in 2027. Otti’s warning comes amid early political maneuvering ahead of the next governorship election, following his 2023 victory under the Labour Party that ended over two decades of Peoples Democratic Party dominance in the state.

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Sarah Martins Detained By Lagos Sanitation Corps Over Unauthorized Roadside Charity

Actress Sarah Martins was detained by the Lagos State Environmental Sanitation Corps (LAGESC) for conducting activities on public infrastructure without official approval, the Lagos State Government has stated. In a statement on Friday, Tokunbo Wahab, Commissioner for the Ministry of the Environment and Water Resources, said Martins’ charitable cooking on a road median violated the state’s environmental and sanitation regulations. “The incident took place in the Admiralty area of Lekki Phase 1, where an individual was apprehended for unauthorized use of public infrastructure,” the statement said. “While acts of charity are appreciated, they must comply with state laws to ensure public safety, protect the environment, and maintain order in the city.” The commissioner highlighted Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s commitment to keeping Lagos clean and sustainable, stressing that improper use of public spaces can disrupt traffic, create health risks, and damage infrastructure. “Actions such as the arrest and removal of equipment are part of the #KeepLagosClean and #ZeroToleranceLagos campaigns. Residents and organizations are urged to seek approval or use designated areas for charitable initiatives, ensuring their activities align with regulations,” the statement added.  

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Activist Mahdi Shehu Raises Alarm Over ‘Victory Parade’ by Armed Bandits in Katsina

Prominent activist Mahdi Shehu has sounded the alarm over what he described as a “victory parade” staged by armed bandits in Bakori Local Government Area of Katsina State, warning that criminal groups now operate with alarming impunity across parts of Northern Nigeria. In a post on his verified X (formerly Twitter) account, Shehu said heavily armed bandits, clad in full combat uniforms, recently gathered in Bakori under the guise of a “peace deal” with a local community they had earlier subdued. He lamented that over the past decade, banditry has claimed countless lives and left hundreds of thousands killed, maimed, raped, or displaced, devastating rural economies and pushing many communities into poverty and fear. According to Shehu, many residents have been forced to submit to the bandits’ authority just to survive, agreeing to their conditions to gain temporary safety, access farmlands, or carry out basic trade in local markets. “The bandits have effectively carved out their own state within a state, where their rules override those of the government,” Shehu wrote. He further warned that similar patterns of control and coercion are now evident in several other parts of Northern Nigeria, where state presence is weak and local populations are left vulnerable. The activist’s revelations have sparked widespread concern online, with many Nigerians expressing outrage over the deepening insecurity and the growing influence of non-state armed groups in rural communities. Observers say the situation underscores the urgent need for stronger security operations, community resilience programs, and sustained government intervention to reclaim territories under bandit control.

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FG Launches National Job Centre Project to Tackle Unemployment, Boost Decent Work Opportunities

The Federal Government has unveiled the National Job Centre Project, a nationwide network of employability hubs designed to combat unemployment and promote dignified, inclusive, and transformative work for Nigerians. Minister of State for Labour and Employment, Nkeiruka Onyejeocha, announced the initiative during the Mastercard Foundation Annual Nigeria Partner Convening held in Lagos yesterday. According to her, the project is a key component of President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, aimed at connecting trained Nigerians to real job opportunities while strengthening the country’s labour market infrastructure. “The National Job Centres will integrate digital job matching, data tracking, and career advisory services to create a harmonised and inclusive system,” Onyejeocha said. She explained that the centres form part of a national labour framework intended to empower young Nigerians to contribute meaningfully to local industries and compete confidently on the global stage. The minister also introduced the Labour Employment and Empowerment Programme (LEEP) — a flagship initiative of the Ministry focused on improving youth employability and bridging the gap between training and employment. “Our goal is not just to create jobs but to build systems that protect workers’ rights, ensure fair wages, and strengthen labour market governance,” she added. Onyejeocha praised the Mastercard Foundation for its continued collaboration with Nigeria through the Young Africa Works strategy, which has supported job creation, entrepreneurship, and skills development for thousands of young Nigerians over the past six years. She noted that the Foundation’s approach aligns with the government’s effort to turn skills into sustainable employment, emphasizing the need for partnerships between the public and private sectors, development partners, and civil society. “Building an inclusive and sustainable ecosystem for work requires collective effort. We invite partners to collaborate with us in driving job access through these platforms and accelerating economic outcomes across Nigeria’s labour ecosystem,” she said. Reaffirming the government’s commitment to President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope vision, Onyejeocha assured that the Ministry will continue to advance policies that promote employment creation, social inclusion, and economic stability. “The Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment stands ready to continue working with the Mastercard Foundation and all stakeholders to build a future where work is dignified, inclusive, and transformative,” she concluded.  

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