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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Fire Guts Alaba International Market In Lagos, Shops And Goods Destroyed

Fire Guts Alaba International Market In Lagos, Shops And Goods Destroyed

A fierce blaze swept through parts of the Alaba International Market in Lagos on Tuesday evening, destroying numerous shops and sending hundreds of traders into panic. Videos from a live TikTok stream by user KB Clothings captured the chaos as thick black smoke rose over the market and desperate traders shouted for help. Many could be seen crying over the loss of their goods, while others frantically tried to rescue their merchandise before the fire spread further. Firefighters from the Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service raced to the scene to battle the flames, which continued to burn late into the evening. Witnesses said the fire spread rapidly through locked shops and warehouses, with several traders accusing market security officials of reacting too slowly. Alaba International Market, situated along the Lagos-Badagry expressway, is one of Nigeria’s largest trading hubs for electronics and building materials, attracting thousands of merchants and customers from across the country and neighboring West African nations.

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Kano Court Orders TikTok Stars Mai Wushirya And Yar Guda To Marry Within 60 Days

NBA Faults Kano Court For Ordering TikTokers Mai Wushirya And Yar-guda To Marry

The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) has faulted the ruling of a Kano State Magistrate Court that ordered TikTok creators Ashiru “Mai Wushirya” Idris and Basira Yar-guda to marry within sixty days. The controversial order, issued by Magistrate Halima Wali, directed the Kano State Films and Video Censorship Board to oversee the marriage ceremony and warned that failure to comply would be treated as contempt of court. The ruling came after Mai Wushirya’s arrest and arraignment for appearing in a viral video where he was seen displaying affection toward Yar-guda. Reacting through a statement signed by its President, Mazi Osigwe, and shared on X, the NBA condemned the judgment, describing it as unconstitutional and a violation of the individuals’ fundamental rights. According to the association, no Nigerian court has the authority to compel marriage between unwilling adults. “This order demonstrates a grave misunderstanding of the limits of judicial power under the Nigerian Constitution,” the statement read. “Marriage is a voluntary union between consenting adults and cannot be imposed as punishment, moral correction, or judicial remedy.” The NBA further warned that the decision could damage public confidence in the judiciary and called for an immediate review of the ruling. “The courts exist to uphold justice and protect citizens’ constitutional rights, not to enforce social or moral expectations,” the statement added. The association directed its Citizens’ Liberties Committee and Women’s Forum to monitor the case and ensure that the rule of law is maintained.

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Barcelona Vs Villarreal La Liga Match In Miami Canceled, To Be Played At Villarreal Instead

Barcelona Vs Villarreal La Liga Match In Miami Canceled, To Be Played At Villarreal Instead

The La Liga match between Barcelona and Villarreal, originally scheduled to take place in Miami on December 20, 2025, has been canceled. This would have been the first regular-season Spanish league game held outside Spain. The cancellation comes after widespread opposition from clubs, players, and fans. Real Madrid raised concerns with Spain’s Sports Ministry, arguing that moving the match abroad disrupted the traditional home-and-away balance. La Liga players’ union AFE criticized the lack of transparency, and players across the league staged silent protests during other matches. Event organizer Relevent cited insufficient time to properly organize the game and said it would have been irresponsible to sell tickets without full confirmation. Both Barcelona and Villarreal had supported the Miami plan, offering incentives like discounted season tickets and free travel for fans, but expressed disappointment at the cancellation. La Liga said the move set back efforts to grow Spanish football’s international presence and revenue streams. The fixture will now be held at Villarreal’s home ground, La Cerámica, on the original date, December 20, 2025.

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At Least 31 Dead As Fuel Tanker Explodes While People Scoop Petrol In Niger State

At least 31 people have died and several others were injured after a petrol tanker carrying Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) exploded while people were scooping fuel along the Bida-Agaie highway in Niger State on Tuesday. The state Police Public Relations Officer, Wasiu Abiodun, said the incident occurred around 2:40 pm near Essa Village via Katcha. “There was a lone tanker accident along the Bida-Agaie highway, causing the vehicle carrying PMS to fall by the roadside,” he explained. Abiodun stated that residents rushed to collect fuel from the overturned tanker when it suddenly caught fire. “Unfortunately, people living around Essa Village rushed to the scene to scoop PMS, and the tanker was suddenly engulfed in flames. Forty-eight individuals were affected, with thirty-one losing their lives, while others are receiving treatment in nearby hospitals. Three motorcycles were also destroyed,” he added. Security officers and other agencies were deployed to the scene for rescue operations. Investigations are ongoing to identify the driver and owner of the tanker involved.

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PSG Thrash Bayer Leverkusen 7-2 In Champions League Showdown

PSG Thrash Bayer Leverkusen 7-2 In Champions League Showdown

Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) delivered a stunning performance as they thrashed Bayer Leverkusen 7-2 in their UEFA Champions League group-stage clash on October 21, 2025, at the BayArena. Early Domination PSG set the tone early, taking the lead just seven minutes into the match. Leverkusen’s Aleix García briefly equalized via a penalty after PSG’s Illia Zabarnyi was sent off, but PSG quickly regained control. Desire Doué scored twice before halftime, and Khvicha Kvaratskhelia added another, giving the visitors a commanding 4-1 lead at the break. Second-Half Brilliance In the second half, PSG continued their relentless attack. Nuno Mendes extended the lead, while Ousmane Dembélé celebrated his return from injury with a goal. Vitinha sealed the 7-2 victory, showcasing PSG’s offensive depth and precision. Key Moments Early Goal: PSG’s quick opener set the pace for the match. Red Cards & Penalties: Leverkusen’s Robert Andrich and PSG’s Illia Zabarnyi both received red cards, and two penalties added drama. High-Scoring First Half: Five goals in the first half highlighted PSG’s attacking efficiency. Implications The win moves PSG to the top of their Champions League group with three wins from three matches, emphasizing their determination to defend their European title. Bayer Leverkusen, with just two points from three games, faces an uphill battle to recover in the group stage. PSG’s attacking prowess and clinical finishing were on full display, sending a clear message to their Champions League rivals.

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