Television Nigerian

Nnamdi Kanu, the incarcerated leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), filed a plea for bail, but the Federal High Court in Abuja rejected it on Thursday, stating that the scheduled verdict in his terrorism trial would go forward.

Kanu had requested that the court postpone the ruling and take into consideration his new submissions. Kanu has been on trial for several years on allegations relating to terrorism and treasonous felonies.

Justice James Omotosho, however, declared that the procedures were over and that the court would not allow any more delays.

It had previously stated that Kanu showed up in court and insisted that since he had filed multiple new proceedings, no judgment could be given.

“I have filed my procedures, so there is no judgment. No judgment would hold,” he declared at the start of proceedings.

However, Justice Omotosho advised him to behave appropriately, emphasizing that the hearing would continue as planned and that decorum must be upheld.

Kanu, who is representing himself, informed the court that he had filed three distinct motions between November 11 and 17.
Among them were:

A motion requesting the court to order the prosecution to submit a final written address, a motion seeking bail on liberal terms, and a motion asking the court to refer “substantial constitutional issues” to the Court of Appeal.

Additionally, he argued that the entire trial is unlawful because count 7 of the charge does not exist under any written law.

Justice Omotosho merged the motions but made it clear the court would not reconsider completed subjects.

According to Justice Omotosho, Kanu’s concerns had already been resolved by the same court.

This court is constrained by its prior decisions. We will not consider the Court of Appeal or the stay of proceedings. Such applications are prohibited by Section 306 of the ACJA, he stated.

According to the legislation, there are two types of bail, and Kanu’s situation “does not fall within them,” he continued.

As part of a renewed effort to enforce compliance and defend the rights of Nigerian passengers, the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) fined Qatar Airways N5 million for infractions that bordered on consumer protection.

Mr. Michael Achimugu, Director of Public Affairs and Consumer Protection, made the announcement and denounced the airline for what he described as a “persistent disregard for regulatory directives.”

Achimugu said that Qatar Airways has received numerous Letters of Investigation (LOIs) regarding other concerns, and that the fine is just one of many outstanding issues surrounding the carrier.

He cautioned that the Authority will no longer put up with what it sees as a history of contempt and non-compliance, and that failing to reply to the LOIs satisfactorily may result in additional consequences.

He claims that Qatar Airways has acted “as though Nigerian passengers and the NCAA are not deserving of respect, dignified treatment, and compliance with Part 19 of the NCAA Regulations 2023,” and he is adamant that this behavior “will be brought to a stop immediately.”

An event on a voyage from Lagos to Doha to the United States was one of the cases that led to the most recent enforcement action. When she helped another passenger board in Lagos, a female cabin crew member said that a male passenger traveling with his wife had improperly grabbed her. Most importantly, the crew member failed to disclose the allegation in Lagos.

But when she filed the complaint after arriving in Doha, the traveler was arrested and held for around eighteen hours.

According to Achimugu, the passenger’s wife had significant mental and psychological suffering during the encounter, raising doubts about the veracity of the accusation given that she had accompanied her husband during the boarding process.

In order to regain his freedom and resume his journey, the detained traveler was later forced to pay a hefty fee and sign a paper written entirely in Arabic, even though he did not comprehend the language.

He had to purchase a ticket on another airline at great financial and reputational expense because Qatar Airways refused to take him to his destination even after he followed the instructions in Doha.

Achimugu further stated that Qatar Airways’ country manager allegedly sent subordinates in his place when the NCAA called the airline to a meeting to discuss the incident and other outstanding issues.

After the meeting, the Authority made decisions, but Qatar Airways reportedly disregarded them. Additionally, it has not responded to further complaints or a written letter of intent, which Achimugu emphasized is illegal.

“This behavior is over,” he said. “Any airline that fails to respond to the NCAA, gives false information, or ignores Part 19 of the NCAA Regulations 2023 is in violation of Nigerian aviation law.”

He saw that some international airlines, particularly those from nations with laxer consumer protection laws, frequently violate Nigerian laws with contempt.

Achimugu noted that all parties must respect Bilateral Air Service Agreements (BASAs) and issued a warning that such attitudes will no longer be tolerated.

He reiterated the position of Captain Chris Najomo, Director-General of Civil Aviation, who has continuously emphasized firmness on issues pertaining to consumer protection. “Any airline that consistently fails to comply will face appropriate and severe penalties,” Achimugu declared.

In a similar development, he disclosed that Saudi Air and Royal Air Maroc had also received warnings due to detected violations. They will be subject to similarly harsh penalties if they disregard the NCAA’s rulings.

Achimugu emphasized that adherence to Nigerian aviation regulations is non-negotiable while restating the NCAA’s commitment to safeguarding both passengers and airlines.

Riley M. Moore, a US congressman, met with a group of high-ranking Nigerian officials.

The group met in Washington, D.C., under the direction of Nuhu Ribadu, Nigeria’s national security adviser.

Discussions regarding the alleged continued persecution of Christians and persistent terrorist threats in Nigeria were at the top of the agenda.

In order to put an end to the violence, they also discussed ways that the US and Nigeria could work together more closely.

Nigerians are terrified as terrorists go on the rampage and attack big gatherings.
Nigerian officials discussed the difficulties and worries of their administration in relation to counterterrorism, security support, safeguarding vulnerable populations, and persistent problems with violence throughout Nigeria.

Congressman Moore reaffirmed that President Trump will not put up with ongoing violence against Christians or other types of religious persecution, and that the United States is willing to work with Nigeria.

He cautioned that Trump doesn’t just make threats.

Moore stated in a statement, “President Trump and Congress are united and serious in our resolve to end the violence against Christians and disrupt and destroy terrorist groups within Nigeria.”

“I implore Nigerians to cooperate and coordinate with us on this vital issue.”

The delegation comprised:

The NSA and head of the delegation, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, Her Excellency, Bianca Ojukwu is the Foreign Affairs Minister.
Mr. Kayode Egbetokun, Inspector General of Police; Chief Lateef Olasunkami Fagbemi, SAN, Attorney General of the Federation; General Olufemi Olatunbosun Oluyede, Chief of Defense Staff; Lt. Gen. EAP Undiendeye, Chief of Defense Intelligence; Ms. Idayat Hassan, Special Advisor to ONSA; Ambassador Ibrahim Babani, Director of Foreign Relations, ONSA; Ambassador Nuru Biu, Acting CDA, Nigerian Embassy
Paul Alabi, Political and Economic Division, Nigerian Embassy

The verdict in Nnamdi Kanu’s accused terrorist trial will be broadcast live on Thursday by the Federal High Court in Abuja.

On Thursday morning, the News Agency of Nigeria received confirmation of the development from the court registrar.

Among the broadcast station employees in the courtroom with their devices for the live broadcast were cameramen from various television networks, such as NTA, Channels TV, AIT, and TVC.

According to NAN, Justice James Omotosho scheduled the verdict for today on November 7.

After Kanu’s defense was foreclosed because to his insistence that he would not enter his defense under a repealed legislation, Justice James Omotosho set the date.

Judge Omotosho ruled that Kanu had waived his opportunity to present his defense after using up the six days the court had given him.

The judge stated that if Kanu had chosen to open it, he would have given him more time to present his defense.

He stated that Kanu could not claim to have been deprived of the constitutionally provided right to a fair hearing because he had not used the opportunity to present his defense.

With the creation of Sunshine Joint Venture Infrastructure Limited, the Ondo State government and its investment partners have started the process of establishing a free trade zone and a refinery capable of producing 500,000 barrels per day.

The Ondo State Government, represented by the Ondo State Investment Promotion Agency, or ONDIPA, will collaborate with the partners—Backbone Infrastructure Limited, BINL, NEFEX Petro Line Limited, and Cooldeal Limited—through Sunshine Joint Venture Infrastructure Limited to actualize the refinery and free trade zone.

In an update on the refinery and free trade zone projects, BINL Vice President of Corporate Services Barrister Wale Adekola said that various executives from NEFEX, BINL, and Cooldeal Limited are involved in the joint venture.

According to the statement, ONDIPA leaders guided the joint venture team and consultants—including China Harbour, China Engineering, Honeywell, and UOP—to the project locations in the Ilaje region of Ondo State.

The team engaged with key stakeholders during the tour.
According to the statement, the crew made a courtesy visit to His Royal Majesty (HRM), the Olugbo of the Ugbo Kingdom, Oba Frederick Obateru Akinruntan, before to moving on to the project locations across the waterways.

“The team was cordially welcomed by the Kabiyesi, particularly the foreign partners, including the team lead, Messrs. Egbal, JM, and Maryam, among others.” According to the release, he promised the JV team and the Ondo State Government the full support of the Kingdom and all parties engaged, including the protection of the lives and property of every group and individual involved in these projects for everyone’s benefit.

The group, which was headed by former Senate President and BINL Chairman Ken Nnamani, also paid Ondo State Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa a courtesy call.

The governor notes that the development will propel Ondo’s and Nigeria’s overall industrial growth and expresses gratitude to the joint venture for choosing Ondo State as its investment location. Additionally, he promised a favorable atmosphere that will guarantee a prosperous enterprise and relationships that benefit all parties involved.

In addition to ensuring that the projects are carried out successfully, the JV team and ONDIPA reaffirmed their commitment to providing the stakeholders with all the benefits of modern social facilities, such as schools, hospitals, potable water, and settlement centers.

In the Ilaje region of Ondo State, the government plans to establish a 500,000 barrels-per-day refinery and a 1,471-hectare Sunshine Free Trade Zone.

The terrorism trial of two suspected Ansaru sect leaders, Mahmud Usman and Abubakar Abba, will begin on January 15, 2026, according to the Federal High Court in Abuja.

Judge Emeka Nwite postponed the trial, which was originally scheduled to start on Wednesday, after defense attorney B. I. Bakum informed the court that he had not received the accusations and supporting documentation from the Department of State Services (DSS), where the defendants are presently detained.

Additionally, Bakum said that his clients’ current incarceration at the DSS facility restricts their access and trial preparation, so he asked the court to compel their transfer to a penitentiary facility.

David Kaswe, an Assistant Director at the Federal Ministry of Justice and DSS attorney, disagreed with the action, arguing that the trial should go forward since prosecution witnesses were already in court.

Noting that the defense had not yet submitted such letters, Kaswe contended that the DSS follows an established system requiring written requests before counsel may access detainees.

He asked the court to order Bakum to follow DSS guidelines and include the prosecution in all future correspondence.

In a succinct decision, Justice Nwite ruled that the defense must be allowed enough time to examine the case file in order for the hearing to be fair.

The judge decided that “counsel must have adequate access to their clients and study the evidence before trial can begin” before rescheduling the start date to January 15, 2026.

In order to facilitate access, he directed the defense to write formally to the DSS and to include the prosecution in all correspondence.

Usman and Abba are charged with 32 counts that include terrorism, financing of terrorism, kidnapping, manufacturing of weapons, illegal mining, and connection to overseas terror networks.

Usman, whose real name is Abu Bara’a, admitted guilt to Count 10, an economic felony associated with illicit mining, but disputed the other 31 counts. To every charge, Abba entered a not guilty plea.

Usman was given a 15-year prison sentence in September for engaging in illicit mining and using the money he made to purchase weapons for kidnapping and terrorism.

The defendants committed several offenses between 2015 and 2024, according to the DSS, including:

bombing Niger State’s Wawa Military Camp

Training in firearms in Sudan and Mali

Making homemade explosives (IEDs)

Security personnel being abducted

financing terrorism using money obtained through illicit mining

Ansaru fighter training and operations coordination

The prosecution claims that millions of naira obtained through illicit mining were utilized to purchase weapons, ammunition, and IED components.

Between May and July of 2025, both suspects were apprehended through intelligence-led operations.

Ansaru, a Boko Haram offshoot group, has been connected to a number of high-profile incidents, such as assaults on military units and kidnappings of foreigners.